NATCHEZ &045; The resemblance is amazing. Surely Kevin Maris has to get mistaken for his dad while out in public.

Maris, son of the late New York Yankees slugger Roger Maris, even has the ’50s-style flat-top like his dad had back in the day. On Friday he ended a day full of activities by raffling off a limited edition bat by Louisville Slugger made in honor of his look-alike father.

Maris also played in the Phillip West, Tommy O’Beirne, Boo Campbell and Everett Sanders Boys and Girls Club golf scramble earlier in the day as part of the Maris Memorial Weekend to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Miss-Lou.

A baseball camp at Duncan Park will begin at 8 a.m. today.

&uot;It’s No. 677 out of 1,000,&uot; Maris said of the bat, an A92 model designed exclusively to commemorate the one-time record holder for most home runs in a season.

&uot;It’s the same type Dad used when he hit No. 61. They’ve got all that on file. Not very often at all (do I raffle this). I just figured this was a good opportunity to raise some good money for the Boys and Girls Club.&uot;

The bat &045; with Roger Maris’ signature engraved in the barrel &045; went Friday night at a reception at the Isle of Capri Casino after the tournament also raised a good amount of money earlier in the day at Beau Pr.

Maris, head baseball coach at Oak Hall High School near Gainesville, Fla., drove into Natchez on Thursday with his assistant coach, former North Natchez head coach Bobby Hill.

Maris teamed up with Natchez Mayor Phillip West and Natchez High golf standout Ulric Minor in the golf scramble. The team finished tied for sixth with a 65. The team of David Cothren, Tom Mathews and Richard Edgin won the scramble with a 59.

&uot;He’s very nice and a very genuine fellow,&uot; West said of Maris. &uot;He cares about kids. He wanted to come put on the golf tournament and do the baseball camp. This was our second tournament. We were blessed and very fortunate. Last year’s was so wonderful, and this year we had similar numbers. And we were blessed with good weather.&uot;

The day of golf wasn’t bad, either. Maris admitted he’s not an avid golfer since his duties as baseball coach keep him rather occupied, but the threesome finished under par in the scramble that featured some competitive scores.

The team finished in a four-way tie for sixth place.

&uot;I’ve been coaching baseball, and it keeps me busy,&uot; Maris said. &uot;I’ll do a long-drive competition here and there. After baseball season is done, it gives me a golf fix because I enjoy it. We had a good time today. The mayor hit it great. He has a pretty good golf game.&uot;

Leave it to the Cothren team to play the best on Friday. Winners of last year’s tournament with a 16-under, the team finished with a 59 to claim the title again this year.

Really the team had just one bad hole &045; if you can call it that &045; by finishing with 13 birdies and five pars. Cothren, Edgin and Mathews had some chances for eagle but couldn’t come through.

&uot;Richard really hit the ball well off the tee all day,&uot; Cothren said. &uot;Tom always chips the ball well. We didn’t get any long putts. We kept it close all day like you need to do in a scramble.

&uot;We kind of figured we’d play again and defend our title. I guess we’ll play again.&uot;

The same couldn’t be said for the Maris team, who finished with seven birdies and no bogeys. Two teams fared better and finished tied for sixth place with a 61 &045; the team of Woody Allen, Robin Punches and Craig Bradford in second, and Tommy Geoghegan, Stephen Hollingsworth and Lee Jones in third.

Allen’s team won out on a scorecard playoff.

&uot;We didn’t have a very good day, but we had some good shots,&uot; West said. &uot;We could have done a little better, but some shots didn’t fall. But that’s how it is with golf &045; close only counts in horseshoes.&uot;

The weekend continues today with the baseball clinic at Duncan Park with area baseball coaches, players and other celebrities. Hill arrived in Natchez Friday along with former Philadelphia 76er Clem Johnson, former NL batting champ Ralph Garr and Atlanta Braves scout Robert Lucas after they attended the Braves’ game in Houston Thursday night.

The three will help with the camp, and Johnson is scheduled to meet with area basketball players for a tryout for his ABA team, the Jacksonville Wave.

&uot;We had a great time, and it was a great golf course,&uot; Maris said. &uot;There was a lot of nice people out there. We’re looking forward to tomorrow with the clinic. Hopefully we’ll show the kids a few new things and maybe some of the things Dad taught me.&uot;